Accurate handgun loads?

[Axis II]

I love shooting handgun and see a lot of things about slugging a barrel, different diameter bullets, etc.

I'm loading 9mm for S&W m&p 4.5 inch service weapon. What advice do you guys have to squeeze every bit of accuracy out
Of my reloads? Are plated bullets fine? What powder? What about slugging barrel? I want the best cause I'll be competing

 

[Reloadron]

The 9mm Parabellum especially in a pistol like you have is pretty standard. You can slug the bore but I would guess you are going to find a 0.346" Bore diameter with a 0.355" Groove diameter. As to accuracy? The best I can suggest is trying different bullets with different loads, much like seeking an accurate rifle load. Some handguns shoot the lower cost bullets just fine and some like the more expensive target bullets. Working from plain lead through plated and coated lead into metal jacket flavors there must be 100 plus 9mm bullet flavors out there. Lead cast are generally a 0.356" diameter with a Brinell 18 hardness while jacketed flavors come in around a 0.355". Hopefully some members are loading for the M&P 9 and may have some suggestions for a start load and bullet. Anyway, I do not see much gain in slugging your M&P 9mm but if you are really curious remove the barrel and drive a lead slug through it.

Ron

 

[gotboostvr]

Lead boolits may have a theoretical accuracy advantage in absolute bleeding edge accurate bench rested guns.

But there can be alot of trial and error testing involved.

Being said, I've had incredible accuracy from some commercial cast boolits that shot lights out.

Good jacketed hollow points from Hornaday (my favorite) speer or nosler should all work with a well developed load. Your pistol will probably show a preference for one or the other though. A lot less trial and error.

Plated bullets, I haven't found the same success with as far as wringing every last drop of accuracy out of a gun. But, they do provide very clean, cheap plinking ammo.
Actually, my most used IDPA load was with a plated bullet from X-treme. I just received another 2k bullet order from them actually. So it goes to show, they do work "good enough"

What discipline specifically are you loading for? For most action sports that I think the M&P is best suited (versus bullseye or silhouette and the like) a plated bullet should be accurate enough.

 

[Axis II]

Idpa

 

[7mmb]

If you want ammo that shoots straight you need to start with ammo that's loaded straight. I recommend the Lyman M-die and the Redding competition seating die. The best components won't perform if they're not loaded properly.

 

[joneb]

I would avoid loading mixed head stamps, to much variation between the various brands.

 

[LiveLife]

loading 9mm for S&W m&p 4.5 inch service weapon.

What advice do you guys have to squeeze every bit of accuracy out
Of my reloads?

Are plated bullets fine? What powder? What about slugging barrel?

I want the best cause I'll be competing ... idpa

First, I would check the twist rate of your barrel as S&W changed the twist rate twice to address the inaccuracy issues of 9mm M&P barrels. They started out with 1:18 twist rate then changed it to 1:24 and it is now 1:10 (similar to Glock's 1:9.84). You can call S&W customer service to verify the twist rate of your barrel but I believe 1:10 barrels have one or two dimples on the bottom of the barrel lugs - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=780301

With that said, while most aftermarket match barrels have 1:16 twist rate and Wilson Combat switched from 1:10 to 1:16, I have experienced greater accuracy from 1:20 twist rate KKM barrels compared to 1:16 Lone Wolf and 1:10 factory Glock barrels. So before considering barrel change, test some loads for accuracy to see how well your current barrel shoots as I have gotten sub 2" 25 yard groups with factory 1:10 Glock barrels and 1:20 KKM barrels using regular plated Berry's 124 gr RN and thick plated RMR HM 124 gr RN - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9924922#post9924922


If you are looking for accurate minimum power factor loads for IDPA, I would suggest the following:

- It is easier to make 125 PF with 124/147 gr bullets than 115 gr bullets as 124/147 gr will make PF with lower to mid range load data that produces accuracy with less felt recoil and muzzle flip for faster follow up shots/double taps (keep in mind that USPSA/IDPA scoring favors faster stage times so utmost bullseye match level accuracy is not paramount - and for this reason many match shooters shoot plated/coated bullets instead of jacketed)

- Lighter powder charge target loads will benefit from 124/147 gr bullets with longer bullet base than 115 gr bullets for greater neck tension which contributes to more consistent chamber pressures (that leads to more consistent muzzle velocities and lower SD) and longer bearing surface of bullet base will better engage the rifling for greater rotational stability in flight

- You can consider JHP bullets for most accurate loads as center of gravity is shifted further back towards the bullet base for greater rotational stability in flight but for action pistol matches, utmost bullseye match level accuracy is not needed and plated bullets come in JHP profiles as well (RMR sells 124/147 HM plated HP bullets)

- While using same headstamp and once-fired brass can reduce flyers which is crucial for bullseye match shooting, I don't think it's feasible or necessary for action pistol matches like IDPA that does not require bullseye match level of accuracy. I think there are reloading variables that can trump use of mixed range brass like bullet and powder selection and more consistent powder charges and bullet seating depth/less bullet setback

- Berry's bullets are sized slightly larger at .3555" (instead of .355") and produce greater neck tension while sealing tighter with the barrel. RMR HM bullets use harder 11-12 BHN alloy core for greater neck tension that minimize bullet setback. If you want greater accuracy, it's not the finished OAL but "chambered" OAL after bullet nose slams on the feed ramp that matters. Most of my RMR loads do not experience any bullet setback using .377" taper crimp.

- For lighter target loads, faster burn rate powders than W231/HP-38 are better suited than slower burn rate powders. Popular match powders are W231/HP-38, N320, Titegroup, WST, etc.

- Load to 130 PF to give you some buffer as temperature sensitivity of powders will make your loads slower in colder temperatures. Titegroup is less temperature sensitive than W231/HP-38 and powders like WST/N320/WSF are reverse temperature sensitive - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10117881#post10117881

- Consider using longer OAL/COL to reduce gas leakage. While I usually use 1.135" with 124 gr RN for general purpose range loads that must work in various pistols, I will use 1.160" to squeeze out more accuracy.

Regular plated Berry's 124 gr RN @ 25 yards with Titegroup

Thick plated RMR HM 124 gr RN @ 25 yards with WST/BE-86

 

[9mmepiphany]

Loading 9mm for S&W m&p 4.5 inch service weapon.

What advice do you guys have to squeeze every bit of accuracy out
Of my reloads?

Are plated bullets fine? What powder? What about slugging barrel?

I want the best cause I'll be competing ... idpa

The biggest improvement to handgun accuracy for for your M&P9 would be to fit a Apex Grade barrel from Apex Tactical.

After that, decide if you prefer 124gr or 147gr bullets. Plated works very well. I recommend the thick plated for better neck tension with less bullet deformation...I like RMR.

Having said that, I've also seen some very good accuracy with high tech coated lead bullets. But they don't work as well in my bullet feeder system.

I'm currently waffling between WST and N320.

I also tend to load a bit longer. 1.140" with Xtreme 124gr RN and 1.117" with RMR 124gr FN...both give me the same internal case volume.

The FN/HP bullets seem to give more consistent OAL

 

[jmorris]

Pistol sights seem to be one of the larger variables, after the shooter.

I can take a pistol I shoot 3.5" groups at 50 yards with iron sights, drop on even a low power 1.5x leoupold scope and shoot the same size 3.5" group at 100 yards.

So you might think about at least testing with optics.

 

[Average Joe]

It comes down to trial and error. That's what makes it so much fun.

 

[GLOOB]

I love shooting handgun and see a lot of things about slugging a barrel, different diameter bullets, etc.

The most important thing to do - if you want to shoot plated or cast or coated bullets - is to buy a 356/360 mil expander plug.

9mm cases are too thick to load plated bullets without properly expanding the cases. If your bore is tight enough and/or your bullets bump up enough, you can get away with a stock 353 expander. But there's no harm in buying the proper expander.

 

[Axis II]

I was at the store today and was torn between hp-38 and cfe pistol.

that's all they seem to carry so I grabbed hp-38 seeing how that was the most on the shelf and from what I read its pretty common so I'm sure I can find data for it.

now just have to order 500 RMR bullets and I'm G2G.

 

[LiveLife]

You will be happy with HP-38 (same powder as W231) for 9mm.

While both meter well, faster burning HP-38 is more flexible at producing accurate lighter target loads meeting 125 PF.

 

[kwg020]

It's a "service weapon" not a target pistol. Your pistol is designed and engineered to be reliable and dependable. I don't believe You will never get the accuracy you are looking for from that gun. Good consistent reloads or exceptional factory ammo may help but don't expect blinding accuracy out of a dependable and reliable firearm. Personally, I will take dependable and reliable over an extra 1/2 inch of accuracy any day. But, that is just me.

kwg

 

[Axis II]

It's a "service weapon" not a target pistol. Your pistol is designed and engineered to be reliable and dependable. I don't believe You will never get the accuracy you are looking for from that gun. Good consistent reloads or exceptional factory ammo may help but don't expect blinding accuracy out of a dependable and reliable firearm. Personally, I will take dependable and reliable over an extra 1/2 inch of accuracy any day. But, that is just me.

kwg

Not really looking for target accuracy just better shooting rounds than factory. I shoot Winchester white box and federal RN from walmart.

If I put 2 rounds tac.tac center mass with Winchester one will hit the arm and the other who knows where.

Federal will place 2 rounds in a 10 inch circle and smaller. If I attempt a head shot with federal on a regular man target I can put almost the whole mag in the head but Winchester maybe 3-4 of 17rounds.

Just trying to get better ammo not target grade accuracy.

 

[RecoilRob]

I've always found better accuracy in the 9mm with heavier bullets for some reason. Maybe it's the longer bearing surface within the barrel...or just the fact that they seem milder to shoot with less muzzle blast to make the same power factor? Especially if you're shooting lead, the heavy 150'ish can be driven to full power yet still stay well below the leading velocity and just shoot very nicely. 3.8 WW 231 beneath a cast Lyman 147 BTRN (weigh about 154 lubed and ready to load) just shoot sweet as anything I've tried.

 

[Axis II]

I've always found better accuracy in the 9mm with heavier bullets for some reason. Maybe it's the longer bearing surface within the barrel...or just the fact that they seem milder to shoot with less muzzle blast to make the same power factor? Especially if you're shooting lead, the heavy 150'ish can be driven to full power yet still stay well below the leading velocity and just shoot very nicely. 3.8 WW 231 beneath a cast Lyman 147 BTRN (weigh about 154 lubed and ready to load) just shoot sweet as anything I've tried.

I carry 147gr JHP +p for work and usually qualify with some cheap federal or something but one year I qualified with the 124gr or 147gr and it was like shooting a laser.

the instructor came back and said what is that an M&P and I said yes. he says what are you running through that? I told him and he says our dept I can carry whatever I want, I'm soo buying an M&P.